Help for Underage Addictions
Help for underage addictions can take many forms.
I want to bring the following to your attention Teens Addiction Anonymous – a program based on the 12 steps but one that was “created by teens, with teens, and for teens.” It’s like and different from the AA or NA 12 step programs. According to their website, the Purposes of Teen Addiction Anonymous are:
1. To provide teens with a means to change any self-destructive behavior
2. To educate teens about the 12 step recovery program for prevention and intervention
3. To facilitate meetings where teens can offer peer support and unconditional acceptance
4. To generate a sense of awareness and honesty in terms of personal healing
5. To encourage teens to seek personal gain through assessment and commitment to recovery
6. To offer teens a means to communicate both in the group and with parents/family
7. To discuss personal visions and strategies for developing those skills needed to attain achievement
8. To insure that all teens understand the significance that each person has in this world as well as the ability to find hope and peace of mind for personal happiness
The 12 Steps of Teen Addiction Anonymous are:
Step 1. I admit that I am powerless over a personal addiction which is controlling my life.
Step 2. I have found a power that is greater than I am which can restore my sense of peace.
Step 3. I agree to turn my will over to the “Higher Power” as I define it.
Step 4. I will make a fearless and honest review of my life, my values, and my goals.
Step 5. I admit to a “Higher Power”, to myself and to another human being, what was wrong with my choices.
Step 6, I am committed to having my addictive behavior removed by a commitment to a “Higher Power”.
Step 7. I humbly ask my “Higher Power” to be with me as a constant reminder toward recovery from my addictive behavior.
Step 8. I will make a list of all the people whom I have hurt and will make peace with them.
Step 9. I will return to others what is owed them as long as it would not cause them harm.
Step 10. I will continue to evaluate my own actions and admit to myself what choices were wrong.
Step 11. I will continue to commit to my “Higher Power” through meditation and reflection, while following through with my recovery.
Step 12. As I continue my journey in recovery, I will share these steps with others while continuing to make them a part of my life.
Check out the Teen Addiction Anonymous website for more information.
And, here is an additional resource: Adolescent Addiction. It is produced by The Addiction Project, a collaboration of NIDA, NIAAA, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and HBO. There you will find important information that explains why adolescent addiction is not the same as adult addiction because the adolescent brain is not the brain of an adult.
Lisa Frederiksen
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